Rafael Does Eight – the French Open.

Congratulations to Rafael Nadal for his 8th win at the French Open overnight after defeating fellow Spaniard David Ferrer.

As remarkable as this feat is, and the fact that he has now only lost one game out of 60 at Roland Garros, the fact that he has managed to continue his magnificent winning streak after seven months out of the game due to knee problems makes it all the more special. That one loss incidentally came against Robin Soderling in the fourth round in 2009.

Nadal has now become the first man to win eight Grand Slam titles at any major.

He has won 12 majors overall, and this victory moves the 27-year-old Spaniard into a tie for third place with Australian Roy Emerson. He trails Roger Federer (17) and Pete Sampras (14) and is the second youngest, after Federer, to reach twelve Grand Slam titles.

Despite protests during the final and one protester making it onto the court nothing could overshadow Nadal’s achievement. It was always his aim to make his return on clay, as this surface is easier on his knees. Time will tell how they hold up in the upcoming tournaments, but it will be a while before such dominance on one surface is witnessed again.